Hispania Racing driver Karun Chandhok has been quick to reject the latest speculation doing the rounds that his race seat with the team is under threat.

An Indian newspaper has claimed that the 26-year-old’s sponsorship backing is drying up, and is speculating that team boss Colin Kolles is set to start discussions with potential candidates who could replace the Channai-born driver.

Obvious candidates would be the team’s two test and reserve drivers, Christian Klien and Sakon Yamamoto, who are both known to bring some sponsorship with them to the team.

Further suggestions have also pointed to former Minardi and Midland/Spyker pilot Christijan Albers – who has had lengthy ties with Kolles, plenty of sponsorship to boot, and is known to be sniffing around for a drive – Narain Karthikeyan and Pastor Maldonado.

Speaking with Reuters while visiting Silverstone for last weekend’s running of the MotoGP event, Chandhok said: “There is so much speculation and I don’t know if it is being started by other drivers who are trying to get in or whatever.

“Three weeks ago Bruno [Senna] was the one [subject to these rumours]. All over the internet it was ‘Bruno’s out and so and so is coming in with money’ and this week it seems to be my turn.

“As far as I know I am in Valencia, I am in the car and I am in for the rest of the season,” he affirmed.

Chandhok has had a steady and impressive debut season in the back-of-the-grid F110, but such is the team’s apparent need for more finances that there could well be credence to this speculation…